Orange County recently celebrated the grand opening of Greeneyes Wildlife Preserve.
The Preserve features an interpretative trail titled “What’s Under Your Feet?” The trail focuses on the relationship between animals living on or under the forest floor. The property is named after the native Florida Greeneyes plant (Berlandiera subacaulis), known for blooms with bright yellow petals and green center disk. A quick look around confirms that this preserve is absolutely full of burrowing animals, from gophers to gopher tortoises.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore, and staff from the County’s Environmental Protection Division hosted a grand opening ceremony for the Greeneyes Wildlife Preserve on February 28th at 951 W. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, Florida 32712.
It is one of a series of land acquisitions made by the County’s Green PLACE Program.
In 2021, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) allocated $100 million to support the goal of preserving an additional 23,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands by 2030.
“Since we worked to revive the Green PLACE program in 2021, the county is acquiring more and more lands just like this one to conserve for generations to come,” Commissioner Nicole Wilson said. “Thanks to our Environmental Protection Division for doing the hands-on work to keep these lands beautiful!”
Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous Orlando theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide.
